2020 Summer Home and Garden

Page 22 2020 Summer Home and Garden Lincoln Daily News June 11, 2020 purposes. Blooming in early spring, with the right conditions, petals will continue to be seen until mid-March to mid-April. The Woodland Phlox prefers dry deciduous woodlands. This native wildflower is found in almost every county in Illinois. Pollinated by long-tongued bees, butterflies and moths, the blossoms of the Woodland Phlox appear in a blue-violet, lavender, or white color. The shoots of wildflowers grow about 1 to 1 ½ feet tall. The cluster of flowers span 2 to 3 ½ inches across. Each blossom has five spreading lobes that are fused together at its tubular base. Blooming from mid-spring to early summer, the wildflowers last about a month giving off a floral scent that is pleasantly sweet and fragrant. The foliage of Woodland Phlox serves as food for herbivores including rabbits, deer and livestock. Cornflowers are best grown in clumps since their stems are slender and flowers not very large. These wildflowers prefer to grow in an open sunny location and like most wildflowers can tolerate poor soil. To promote more growth cut the stems just before the buds open. A second planting of Cornflowers in mid to late summer will keep flowers in bloom well into the fall. Popular for wedding boutonniere’s the Cornflower comes in a range of blossom colors including white, pink, red, deep burgundy, and blue. Attracting butterflies and bees, the Cornflower is a welcome wildflower in gardens, as well as, meadows. The Cleome Spider Flower is named for its tall leggy appearance and the shape of its leaves. Petals found in pink or lilac color with white are intricate and large. The fragrant wildflower planted in a vegetable garden will help attract useful insects and ward off bad bugs which damage crops. The scorching heat of summer does not deter the Cleome Spider Flower from blooming and may last well until the first frost. Don’t forget to add personal features to your wildflower cover including mulched or paved walkways, fencing, a gate, or a gazebo with a decorative bench. Add an old wagon wheel, large boulder, birdhouses, sculptures, or a bird bath. Remember, accessories can make or break your wildflower garden so don’t overdo. Adding decorative elements to your wildflowers will give it style and reflect your personality. You’ll enjoy the space more if it is tied together with extras that you love. Planting a patch of wildflowers in containers, gardens, meadows, or pastures can help take care of those boring spots of emptiness. Since wildflowers require less water and less maintenance and attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and valuable insects they are a perfect addition to just about any landscape. [Lisa Ramlow]